You can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!…

SkyHarbor, February 20th, 2013 

One of the most dark and brilliant satiric films of the last century, “Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb” [1964] was my introduction to the cinematic genius of Stanley Kubrick. The only film of that era which even comes close (in terms of war satire) is probably Mike Nichols’ “Catch-22″ [1970] (his “The Graduate” wasn’t bad either – ‘plastics’).

“Mein Führer! I can walk!”

An absolute tour de force from Peter Sellers in three roles, the supporting cast is brilliant as well, particularly George C. Scott as Gen. ‘Buck’ Turgidson and Sterling Hayden as the barking mad Gen. Jack D. Ripper. ‘Dr. Strangelove’ belongs in any serious film fan’s library!

Purity Of Essence

6 Comments »

  1. Max wrote,

    Concur. Absolutely brilliant movie and some incredible performances from Sellers, Scott, and Hayden (and whoever that goofy soldier was who shot the Coke machine).

    Comment on February 20, 2013 @ 11:32 am

  2. SkyHarbor wrote,

    Col. ‘Bat’ Guano? (if that really IS your name!): Keenan Wynn

    Comment on February 20, 2013 @ 11:45 am

  3. SkyHarbor wrote,

    A synchronicity associated with ‘Strangelove’ was that ‘Fail-Safe’ came out that same year [1964]. Essentially the same story, ‘Fail-Safe’ played it straight and very scary.

    Comment on February 20, 2013 @ 2:14 pm

  4. byronius wrote,

    Sky-o: a momentary burst of appreciation for ‘The Gathering’ — it’s been lurking in my head for days.

    You bastard.

    ‘Strangelovian’ is now a technical term, rich with meaning.

    Comment on February 20, 2013 @ 5:11 pm

  5. byronius wrote,

    Oh, this is so lo-fi fucking beautiful:

    The Beatles on Swedish television, 1963.

    Comment on February 21, 2013 @ 1:00 am

  6. SkyHarbor wrote,

    The video is actually quite crisp! I’ve never seen the entire segment before. The most noticeable thing is the lack of non-stop screaming – You can actually hear them (clams and all – George ;-) )! A little research nails down the date of this performance to Wednesday, 30 October 1963. (The Beatles first tour to Sweden – 1963.)

    Everything would change upon their return to Merry Olde the very next day (31/10/63 [Halloween]) and the tide of ‘Beatlemania’ finally broke on London!

    An auspicious moment in The Beatles’ storied career – Thanks for posting!

    Comment on February 21, 2013 @ 5:58 am

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